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SavantPDM File Storage Help

Understanding file storage and folder organization in SavantPDM

SavantPDM stores design files using a Released-Folder Based system. Understanding this method ensures files are organized correctly, easy to find, and follow your company's workflow.

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Released-Folder Based Storage

Released-Folder Based storage organizes files by Part Number (PN). This includes both numeric PNs (e.g., 10032) and alphanumeric PNs (e.g., ABC-1000).

Folder Structure

Files are stored under the Released Folder root in a hierarchical structure based on folder ranges:

Example:

How Folder Ranges Are Calculated

Folder ranges are determined using the Folder Size and the numeric portion of the PN (for alphanumeric PNs, the prefix is ignored for folder placement):

• Folder Size is defined in Admin Settings on the General tab.
• Starting PN defines the minimum allowed part number but does not change folder boundaries.

Example

If:

• Folder Size = 500
• Starting PN = 1000
• Part Number = 10032
• Part Number = ABC-1000

Then the files are stored in:

Example Folder Ranges

Part Numbers	Folder
1000–1499	\1000\
1500–1999	\1500\
9500–9999	\9500\
10000–10499	\10000\

Notes

• Numeric part numbers and alphanumeric part numbers with prefixes are grouped based on the numeric portion only.
• If the StartingPN = 1, then the starting folder will be /0/ for PNs = 1 through FolderSize - 1 (e.g., 1-499 if FolderSize = 500).
• Filenames should include the full PN (prefix + number) to ensure uniqueness within each folder.
• This approach keeps folders manageable and scalable while allowing mixed PN formats in the same directory.
• Changing Starting PN does not move or rename existing folders.
• Changing Folder Size after files exist may cause SavantPDM to look in different folders. Only change Folder Size before releasing parts.

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File Naming and Access

For a given part number PN, SavantPDM provides buttons to open folders and files directly:

• Folder button: opens the folder where the PN is stored.
• PDF button: opens <PN>.pdf
• Datasheet button: opens <PN>_DATASHEET.pdf
• DXF button: opens <PN>.dxf
• STL button: opens <PN>.stl
• Solid Edge files: <PN>.asm, <PN>.par, <PN>.psm, <PN>.dft
• SolidWorks files: <PN>.sldasm, <PN>.sldpart, <PN>.slddrw
• Fusion button: opens the link stored in the Fusion Link field
• Part image: <PN>.jpg, <PN>.jpeg, <PN>.png, or <PN>.webp

Example

If Folder Size = 500 and Part Number = 10032:

Folder location:

File names:

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Starting PN

Starting PN defines the lowest valid part number that can be used in SavantPDM.

What Starting PN Does

• Prevents users from creating or releasing part numbers below this value.
• Helps enforce your company's part numbering policy.
• Especially useful for migrating legacy data or enforcing a new numbering standard.

What Starting PN Does Not Do

• It does not change released folder boundaries.
• It does not move or rename existing folders.
• Folder ranges are always calculated based on absolute numeric values of part numbers.

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Folder Size

Folder Size controls how many part numbers are grouped into each released folder.

• Folder ranges are calculated absolutely, independent of Starting PN:

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Summary

1. Released-Folder Based: organizes files by numeric portion of part number. Alphanumeric prefixes are ignored for folder grouping, but should remain in the filename for uniqueness. Folder ranges are absolute and predictable.
2. File Naming: follow the PN naming convention for PDFs, DXF, STL, Solid Edge, SolidWorks, and Fusion links for proper file access.
3. Starting PN: defines the minimum part number; does not shift folder ranges.
4. Folder Size: controls how many part numbers go into each released folder.
5. Always ensure folder paths are correct in Admin Settings.

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